USS Texas BB-35 Afloat Again

[czech693]

The USS Texas was towed down to Galveston for a huge overhaul eighteen months ago.  She has been sitting in her salt water enclave near the San Jacinto Monument since she was retired after WW2.  Commissioned in 1914 before WW1, she served in the Tampico engagement prior to WW1, then as a convoy escort during WW1, and as a bombardment ship during WW2.  She was active at the invasions of North Africa, Normandy, Cherbourg, Southern France, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.  Her hull was rusting through and leaking seawater and it was feared she would capsize or sink like The Sullivans DD-537 in Buffalo, NY.  Funds were raised to rebuild her.  The hull is finished and she is now at Pier D getting her topside finished.  She is the oldest surviving US battleship and is considered the last of the dreadnought types.  Her story includes the time her captain flooded some of the compartments to cause a list so that she could elevate her 14" guns to fire further inland after the Omaha beach landing advances.

 

 

Edited March 21, 2024 by czech693